EVENTS at HOUSMANS
We regularly have a variety of events in the shop, and are always welcome for suggestions from authors, artists and campaigners who want to use the shop for evening events. Past events include talks, book signings, film screenings, art exhibitions and musical performances.
Click here for an archive; which includes a number of selected filmed highlights, of our previous events. Also, you can view video from some special events here.
MARCH
Focus on Feminism
To celebrate International Women ’s Day on the 8th March, Housmans bookshop are proud to present a series of feminist and woman-positive events encompassing history, environmental activism, and social commentary. Throughout March there will also be relevant photographs from Cynthia Cockburn and Alex Brew on display within the shop.
Zed Books present ‘Glamour: Social History, Women and Feminism’
with Carol Dyhouse
Wednesday 10th March - 7pm to 8.30pm
How do we understand "glamour"? Has it empowered women or turned them into objects? Once associated with modernity and the cutting edge, is it now entirely bound up with nostalgia and tradition?
Dyhouse’s latest publication tells glamour‘s story. It explores the changing meanings of the word, its relationship to femininity and fashion, and its place in twentieth century social history. Using a rich variety of sources - from women's magazines and film to social surveys and life histories , the author examines with wit and insight the history and meaning of costume, cosmetics, perfume and fur. She disentangles some of the arguments surrounding femininity, appearance and power, directly addressing feminist concerns.
The book explores historical contexts in which glamour served as an expression of desire in women and an assertion of entitlement to the pleasures of affluence, finally arguing that glamour can't simply be dismissed as oppressive, or as male fantasy, but can carry celebratory meanings for women.
Join us at Housmans to hear Prof. Dyhouse discuss her publication. There will be an opportunity to meet the author and to have books signed.
'Glamour' is available by clicking here, currently with a 15% discount.
No Sweat Anti-Sweatshop Benefit Gig featuring
Resolution 242 +
Jonny One Lung +
The Ruby Kid +
Captain of the Rant
Saturday 20th March - 6pm to 9pm
No Sweat regularly host the best nights in politically-charged music, with all proceeds going towards fighting sweatshop bosses around the world.
This evening No Sweat bring a selection of their favourite artists to Housmans, all playing in an unplugged style. The fantastic line up includes:
Resolution 242 – sharp as nails acoustic folk punk reggae
Jonny One Lung - emotive and outspoken songs
The Ruby Kid – political rap, a cappella style
Captain of the Rant - spot-on slam poetry
…plus anti-sweatshop speeches, drinks and a raffle.
http://www.nosweat.org.uk
‘Women and Activism’
with Maya Evans and Tamsin Omond
Wednesday 24th March - 7pm to 8.30pm
Activists Maya Evans and Tamsin Omond will be discussing womens’ roles in contemporary peace and environmental movements.
Maya Evans was the first person to be convicted under the 2005 Serious Organised Crime and Police Act; her offence was to stand in front of the Houses of Parliament, reading out the names of British soldiers killed in Iraq. Since her conviction, she has campaigned against Islamophobia and the Afghan war, and for civil liberties.
Tamsin Omond is a high-profile environmental activist and founder of Climate Rush, an all-female climate change awareness movement inspired by the struggles of the Suffragettes, who advocate peaceful civil disobedience to inspire change.
Maya and Tamsin will be discussing the roles played by women in contemporary peace and green movements, and examining questions of gender and class identity in activism.
Tamsin Omond's book 'RUSH! The Making of a Climate Activist'
is available by clicking here.
‘Dissenting Women of the Eighteenth Century’
with Jennifer C. Kelsey
Wednesday 31st March - 7pm to 8.30pm
Throughout the eighteenth century, from childhood to old age, women from all strata of British society faced the same prejudice because of their sex. Not all women, however, were prepared to accept their lot; some openly objected to a double standard which placed them under far more restrictions - physical, intellectual, financial and social - than men and boys.
Even for those who did accept the status quo, there were ways to make use of, or even exploit, the situations in which they found themselves in order to better their positions and claim some autonomy. Kelsey’s new publication is a study of women’s resistance both explicit and subtle.
Join the author for a discussion of ‘A Voice of Discontent’ as well as an opportunity for questions and answers and book signing.
Jennifer C. Kelsey's 'Voice Of Discontent' is available by clicking here.
COMING UP IN APRIL
...more details to follow...
'Animals Count' campaign launch
Saturday April 3rd - 5pm
Animals Count is a political party in the UK aiming to create a better world for people and animals. At this event they will be launching their manifesto, and announcing that they will be contesting the Islington South and Finsbury seat.
Verso present:
'Broonland' with Christopher Harvie
Wednesday 7th April - 7pm
Broonland is a scathing and witty indictment of the architect of New Labour, Gordon Brown. Christopher Harvie is a SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament for Mid Scotland and Fife.
'Gender Matters in Global Politics'
with Cynthia Cockburn and Dibyesh Anand
Saturday 10th April - 5pm
Book launch for Gender Matters in Global Politics . The event will include a brief introduction to the book as a whole, with specific contributions from Cynthia Cockburn on her chapter – ‘Militarisation and War’, and Dibyesh Anand on ‘Gender and Nationalism’.
'Women and Conscientious Objection'
Friday 23rd April - 7pm
War Resisters' International will launch its new publication ‘Women and Conscientious Objection’. The editors and some of the contributors will be present.
Red Pepper debate:
“If voting changes so little, what are the means of radical change?”
Saturday 24 April, 5pm
A timely debate ahead of the election with Hilary Wainwright (author, Reclaim the State), Stuart White (editor, Building a Citizen Society) and Marianne Maeckelberg (author, The Will of the Many: how the alterglobalisation movement is changing the face of democracy).
‘Injustice: Why Social Inequality Persist’s' with Daniel Dorling
Wednesday 28th April, 7pm
"A geographer maps the injustices of Selfish Capitalism with scholarly detachment." --Oliver James, author of 'Affluenza'
All events are susceptible to last minute changes, so please keep checking the website or contact the shop for confirmation and more info.